Coupling



Oct. 22, 1946. E. B. wlGGlNs 2,409,650

COUPLING Y A Filed June. 15. 1943' 2 sheetssneet 1 V J 2 6 .i i*

Lene Lane Wgynsrecul/rx als@ ATTORN EY.

Oct. 22, E, B wlGGlNs 2,409,650

GOUPLING Filed June 15. 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 freine Laue 13,723 ingExecuz/vx CL Y ATTORNEY.

Patented oci. 22, 1946 Earl B. Wiggins, deceased,

Calif., by Irene Lane Wiggins,

Angeles, Calif.

Application June 15,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to quick acting couplings.

It is an object of this invention to provide a coupling whereby sections of conduit, or hose may be connected readily in a fluid tight manner, or disconnected without the need of relative rotary movement between the sections; such coupling being .easily operable without the need ci tools.

VIt is another object of this invention to provide inone'adaptation, a coupling wherein axial forces tending to separate the joined sections have no tendency -to 'disconnect the coupling, but in which the coupling sections may be readily disconnected when desired regardless of such axial forces.

, It is another object of this invention to provide in another adaptation, a coupling wherein the joined sections are arranged to be disconnected by axial forces when such forces reach a predetermined magnitude.

It is another object of this invention to provide a quick acting coupling which is maintained locked, when coupled, `against loosening ordisconnecting incident to vibration.

lt is still another object of this invention to provide a coupling for tight manner and incorporating an improved seat or gasket between the coupling sections for sealing against pressure within or Ywithout the conduit.

It is still another object of this invention to provide such a coupling incorporating a gasket, mounted in one of the coupling sections for sealing between the sections, which may be readily removed or replaced without disassembling the coupling section.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a quick actingv coupling, arranged to connect electric oircuts, which is easily coupled and uncoupled and which is securely held against accidental uncoupling.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a coupling adapten, to join conduits in a iiuid tight manner, as well as to form electrical connections between wiring enclosed in said conduits.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a coupling of improved and strengthened construction, and which is readily assembled.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a number of forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present speciication. These forms will now joining conduits in a fluid late of Los Angeles, executrix, Los

1943, Serial No. 490,882

be described in detail, illustrating the general principles oi the invention; but it is to be runderstood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since `the scope of the invention is best defined by, the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section showing the device coupled;

Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating the device uncoupled;

AFigures 3 and 4 are fragmentary detail `sections showing steps in coupling the device;

Figures 5 and 6 are cross sections taken on 'correspondingly numbered lines of Figure l;

Figure '7 is an elevation of a modied form oi the invention;

Figure 8 is an axial section of a further modiiied form of the coupling embodying an electrical connector;

lFigure 9 is 'a transverse scale of a fragment oi the and,

Figure 10 is a cross section taken on line lil--l il of Figure 9.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the coupling comprises tubular members i9 and Il yhaving extensions l2 and i3 respectively telescoping one within 'the other. Thelouter extension as l2 has an interior annular shoulder 'lil supporting a sealing ring or gasket l5 of resilient material, for example leather `or neoprene, upon which the inner end or face I6 of the other extension I3 is arranged to seat in a fluid tight manner. Means for securing or locking the members I!! and Il iin coupled relation are provided, comprising a plurality of dogs l1 mounted exteriorly on the extension l2 and engaging a shoulder Iii on the extension I3. An operating means comprising a ring I9 freely movable between limits on the member ID is provided for urging the dogs l1' toward locking position, or out of locking position. The dogs l1. are so formed and supported with respect to the shoulder' I8 that upon engaging the shoulder, any tendency ci the members lll and il to separate axially, as for example due to the resilience of the parts, has the eiiect of lcausing the `dogs I1 to grip the shoulder i8 more firmly; thus these dogs may be aptly ltermed self-locking dogs. This arrangement `has several important advantages. For instance, no external restraining influence such as operating ring I9 is needed to maintain the dogs locked; further, increased longitudinal strain *between the members incident tothe use of the coupling has no tendency to resection on an enlarged connector of Figure 8;

3 lease the locking means, but instead increases the locking effect.

As clearly shown in the drawings (see also Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6) the extension I2 has a number of axially extending slots 24 formed therein for accomodating the dogs I. Each dog I'I has a projection or tooth 25 on its forward end for engaging the shoulder I3 and is provided with an inwardly directed slot 26 intermediate its ends for accommodating a retainer or pivotal supporting means 27. As shown in Figure 5, the retainer 21 is in the form of a spring ring accommodated in a groove 28 in extension I2 and secured therein as by an inturned end 29. The rear ends 3G of the dogs project outwardly.

The operating ring IS has a, forward portion 3| of reduced diameter for contacting the dogs I7, a larger rear portion 32 for freely accommo dating the projecting rear portions of the dogs, and a rear wall 33 engaging a stop 34 on the extension I2 which limits outward movement of the ring I9. The arrangement is such that movement of the ring I9 to the left from the shoulder portion 3| of the ring 9 to engage the projections 33 which swings each dog I 'I to bring the tooth 25 thereon outwardly and out of engagement with the shoulder I8 (see Figure 3). Movement of the ring I9, in the opposite direction, to the right (Figure 4), will cause the portion 3| to to bring the teeth 25 with the shoulder I8.

As previously mentioned, the dogs I'i are arranged to be self-locking. This is achieved in the following manner. An inspection of Figures 3 and 4 will show that the lower or inner edge |23 of the locking surface of the tooth 25 is at a greater radial distance from the pivot 2'1, about which the tooth swings, than is the upper or outer edge I 24. Thus, the locking surface |25 of the tooth 25 is at a progressively decreasing radial distance with respect to the pivot 21 -between the points |23 and |24,

thereon into engagement edge |23 will just engage the outer edge |23 of the shoulder I8; further inward decreasing radius against the edge |26 of the shoulder I8. wedging action of the surface |25 urges the extension I3 inwardly of the extension I2 against the resilience of the gasket or seat I5, which is the extension thus forcing the shoulder surfaces |25 on the dogs.

point |23 drawn from pivot 21 to point |23, is very small and is Within the self-locking range. It is a wellknown mechanical principle that a wedge is selflccking if the frictional force between the wedging surfaces exceeds the component force acting urge the dogs II inwardly the surfaces I8 and |25 by the resilience of the ring I5 is greater than the component, acting parallel to the surfaces I8 and I 25, of the force exerted by the ring. The dogs manner, held in engagement with the shoulder I8 by :forces developed by the resilient ring I5, and independently of the operating ring I9. The operating ring is not, therefore, subjected to any component of the axial force tending to separate the members I il and I I. It functions solely as an actuator to move the dogs to and from their locking position.

Since the frictional force acting to retain the dogs Il locked is but a small part of the force to disengage the dogs from the shoulder I8, and due to the cam action between the inner surface of the reduced portion 3| on the operating ring I9 and the portions 30 of the dogs, a light force urging the ring I9 to the left as indicated by the arrow in Figure 3 is suiicient to cause disengagement of the dogs I1. An inspection of Figure 1 will show that the ring I9 may be moved a considerable distance from its normal position when it is free of the dogs I1, before engaging the dogs to cause their release. By providing this lost motion, it isv possible to strike a blow on the dogs I 'I with the ring I9, to assist in causing their release.

To prevent vibration displacing the ring I 9 and possibly causing the a light the wall 33 of the ring I 9 and a shoulder 3S on the member I 6J for resiliently maintaining the ring I 9 in its locking or outer position with the wall 33 against the stop 31|.

The member I has a reduced portion 33 on which is secured a flexible hose or conduit 39, as

by a conventional clamp 40. A similar hose o1' Iiexible conduit may be secured to the member II in a like manner. However, as shown, the

member II has an exteriorly threaded extension 64 with a tapered end face 65 for receiving a conmanner by a nut 68 threaded on the extension 62. The member II may also be provided with an integral mounting ange 44 if desired, whereby the coupling and associated conduits may be supported.

To couple the conduit 39 with the conduit St, the ring I3 is retracted against the force of the spring 35 swinging the dogs I7 outwardly. The extension I2 is then slipped over the extension I3, the face I6 engaging the seat I5. The ring I9 is then moved ahead or to the right which forces the dogs I'I into locking position, as just described. When it is desired to uncouple and disconnect the members I2 and I3, the operating ring I9 is moved to the left against the force of the spring 35, which causes the dogs I 'I to disascenso engage the shoulder I8,1allowing the members I2 and I3 to be separated by relative axial movement.

lAn impor-tant feature `in preventing leakage between the members I and I l is the arrangement of the resilient seal ring I5, as best shown in' Figurefl. This ring I5 as previously mentioned is mounted on an annular shoulder I4, being retained thereon by means of a shallow annular ree cess or groove-46 in which the outeredge of the ring I5 is inserted. This is a very useful arrangement, since the resilience of the ring I5 peru mits it to be suiciently deformed for easy removal or replacement when necessary; further, the ring I5 is securely held in place on `the shoulder I4 without the need of detachable `parts for this purpose. Hence, the coupling section II) does not require disassembling for installation ofthe ring I5. This ring I5 is substantially wider than the face IB and coaxial therewith. Thus, as the face I6 is urged against the ring I5, a central annulus of the ring is depressed so that the ring seals against both the `inner and outer edges of the face Iii. In this way leakage of pressure from either the outside or inside of the coupling `past this face is effectively prevented.

The coupling as just described may be made self releasing `by slight modifications. A coupling so arranged is illustrated in Figure 7. This couplingincludes a pair of tubular members ID and I I arranged to be connected in the identical manner previously set forth. The member I9 is con-` nected to a conduit 3B as before. The member I I is slightly modied, the mounting flange [I4 being omitted, and an extension 4I which is secured a 'conduit 42 as by clamps 43. The operating member ISiJis identical structure and function with ring I9 except that it is provided with a mounting flange I3!! for subpOltrlg the coupling, as by being secured to a stationary wall I32, thev coupling being supported `on the member I3lby the spring 35. f

When a `downward forceis applied Yto the member II as by a conduit d2, both the members IB and II being Vlocked together move downwardly with respect to the member ISI] against the force of the spring 35. At some point in this `movement the 'member I3@ will disengage-the dog `i1 from the shoulder I8 on the member II disconnecting the members and allowing the member II to separate from the member I. This action can be visualized in connection with Figure l. Thus, assuming thering I!! is fixedand the mem ber II is pulled to the right as indicated by the arrow I33, the member III carrying the `dogs I1 will move with it causing the ends tuoi `the dogs I'I to engage the reduced portion 3| of the ring I9 and release the dogs. This `is the same action as that previously described to release the .dogs involving `a movement of ring I9 `to the left as in dicated in Figure 3. It will Abe apparent that by appropriate choice of the part by which the coupling is restrained or supported, axial force tendn ing to separate the coupling members may be caused to increase the locking effect ofthe means preventing disconnection of the members or, to effect such disconnection.

A quick acting coupling as disclosed in Figures 1 to r1 also may be used in detachably connecting electriccircuits, as by mounting one element of a suitable electrical connector in one member of the coupling, and the cooperating elementof the connector in the other member. Further, since this coupling is adaptedto join conduits or the like in a fluid tight manner such a coupling may being provided on e be used in connection'with conduits or the like to `effectively protect the connector Afrom the weather or other harmful influences.

A ycoupling arranged in this manner is shown in .Figures 8, 9 and l0. This coupling issimilar to'that in the other forms of the invention, comprising tubular members 2lb and ZII withtelescopically'engaged `portions 2I2, 2I3 held in coupled relationship by dogs ZI'I and shoulder 2I8 and provided with a sealing ring 2I5. The member 2H may be provided with an integral supporting flange 244. The male element 8-5 of a connector, which may be a conventional multiple pin jack, is mounted in the bore of the member 2id. This element includes a cylindrical plug 85 cf `insulating material which may be secured on a shoulder .81 adjacent the seal ring 2I5 by a snap ring 88 which engages a groove 39 in the member 2id. The cooperatingelement 9G of the connector may be similarly secured in the bore of the member 2H against a shoulder 9i by a snap ring 92. To seal the elements and 9B in their respective members ZII) and 2H an appropriate sealing composition indicated at ZIQ and 22D may be placed Within the member 2I or 2H behind the element therein The wiring vconnected to the connector elements 35 and 90 is indicated respectively Iby numerals 94 and 95. A sheath or conduit which may be provided for enclosing such wiring is indicated respectively at 96 and 91, being suitably secured respectively to the tubular members 2m and 2l I. For this purpose, the ends of the conduits and ill are inserted respectively in the ends of the members ZID and 2H, which ends may be split as indicated at for receiving the conduit. Clamping bands 99 encircling the ends of the members 2I0 and 2II serve to secure theconduits in the members.

To insure proper connection between the con'- nector elements 85 and G, means are provided for angularly positioning the elements with respcct to each other. For this purpose a pin I0!) carrying a key IGI is secured to the element 95) andengages an opening IGZ in the member '85, this opening IllZ havinga slot IBS for receiving the key It! i. It will be clear that with the wiring enclosed in the conduits d and 91, the fluid tight connection between the members 2l I! and 2l I will effectively enclose and protect the connector elements. i

What is claimed is:

l'. In a quick acting coupling, a pair of cooperating members adapted to seat one within the other, means forming a shoulder on one of said members, a plurality of dogs and means mounting said dogs on the other member for movement toward and away from said shoulder, each of said dogs having a locking surface thereon engageable with said shoulder to secure the members in coupledrelation, operating means movably mounted on one of said members for moving said dogs to ward and away from said shoulder, one of said members having resilient'means adapted to be axially deformed by'means on said other member, upon movement o saidmember into coupled relation, lsaid locking surfaces being disposed at a wedge angle with respect to the direction of movement thereof, said wedge angle being within the self-locking range `whereby said dogs are held in locking engagement with said shoulder, and independently of said operating means, by friction induced by pressure exerted by said deformed resilient means.

2. In a quick acting coupling, a pair of cooperating members adapted to seat one within the other, means forming'a shoulder on one of said members, a plurality of dogs and means mounting said dogs on the other member for movement toward and away from said shoulder, operating movably mounted on one of said members for movlng said dogs toward and away from said secure the members in coupled relation, one of said members having resilient means adapted to be axially deformed by means on the other member during movement of said dogs into locking engagement with said shoulder, said deformed resilient means exerting a force maintaining said slient, deformable sealing element mounted on one of said members, a sealing surface on the other member engageable with said sealing element to effect a seal'between the members, and to axially deform said sealing element, the resilience of said sealing element when deformed exerting a force maintaining said shoulder in frictional engagement with said locking surfaces,

means bers, a plurality of'dogs mounted on the other member and cooperating with said shoulder the members in coupled reon one member, a on the other member and cooperating with said shoulder means for of said dogs having a notch in a face thereof, said other member having a circumferential groove, and a ring seated in said groove and engaging the respective notches in said dogs for pivotally mounting said dogs on said other member for movement toward and away from said shoulder means.

6. In a quickacting coupling, a pair of cothe members in coupled relation.

7. In a quick acting coupling, a pair of tubular members adapted to be connected in iiuid tight relationship, means for securing said members so connected,

coupling is disconnected.

8. In a quick acting coupling, a pair of tubular members adapted to be connected in fluid tight relationship,

9. In a quick acting coupling, a pair of tubular members adapted to be connected in iiuid tight relationship, means for securing said members so connected, an operating member mounted on one of said members for axial movement with respect thereto and arranged to release said secur- IRENE LANE WIGGINS, Eecutrz'zr of the Last Will and Testament of Earl B. Wiggins, Deceased. 

